Need a cheap workout player

[DTMracer]

I'm considering a cheap but half-decent MP3 player for working out at the gym since I don't want to wreck my ipod nano. I don't need anything fancy, but do want good sound quality (I'll be using E2C's or my old pair of ER6's with whichever player I'll end up with)

I've been considering these options:

1) Samsung U3 - I like the built in USB connector (Handy for work, doubling as a USB stick), and I can get one for about $79AUD. Looks a bit like crap though. Not much experience with Samsung MP3 players either at this end of the price range.

2) Sandisk Sansa Clip - Heard lots of good things about it, especially the sound quality. No built in USB connector, but its small size and cool design is appealing. Can get one for about $69

3) Sony NWDB103FB (SONY - Australia) - Again, love the integrated USB connector, and Sony sound quality's quiet good. Drag and drop, so that's another good point, and it looks pretty cool as well. Not too sure about sonys down at this end of the price range, and I can't seem to find a review of it. I can get this for approx $66

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, which one should I go for?

EDIT: Besides Retravision, which is quiet far away, where else in Melbourne can I get the Sansa Clip? I only know that you can get the clip at Retravision because I saw it in one of their catalog. When will JB Hi-gi get them?
__________________

[Bugatti's Aftershave]

Hi DTM, surprise surprise... My friend actually has that Sony model, I think. I recognised it from your list of three, and it has amazing sound quality which is pretty much a no-brainer as Sony's entire namesake is that thing called the Walkman... The thing's also quite solid so you can throw that around like you would an old Nokia. It's a weird shape to carry around, unfortunately.

Anyhow, I would avoid the Sandisk due to its lack of built-in USB connector. Having it built-in to the other two makes it a great convenience. And I don't think the Samsung looks like crap (I actually quite fancy it, really). But I do think that the Sandisk looks porky, like a cheap iPod rip.

How about the digital camera warehouse* http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.co...egory339_1.htm

*found via Google FTW

[Zuhaib]

iPod Shuffle? Also a nano is great for the gym as its flash base.

[DTMracer]

I do want a screen though, so that rules out the Zen stone and Shuffle.

[DTMracer]

Any Samsung U3 or Sandisk Clip owners out there willing to share their ownership experience with me?

[chvvkumar]

+1 for the nano. I use it regularly while travelling and the long battery life really helps.

[NecroJoe]

How about a Zen Stone with a screen?
2gb=$48

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204852659

[DTMracer]

The stone's too fiddly, and it doesn't have a screen unless I buy the more expensive version, which is like over 100AUD. The clip, on the other hand, is about $69 AUD, and the Sony is about 66AUD.

[chvvkumar]

1 -ve point of all ipods is that you caant controll it while its inside your pocket i.e. as the bottons are flush with the body, you have to take it out to change songs, change volume etc. As a workaround, there are remotes that let you do this though.

[DTMracer]

Also, the ipod is a bit expensive to use as a gym player.

I think I'll probably end up getting the clip, but I'll audition the Sony as well. By the way, are there any other cheap but decent players I missed?

[Speedtouch]

I would get the clip. I very nearly bought a Sandisk Sansa a while back. But I got an iPod instead. Go for it.

[Andrew911tt]

Sandisk Sansa e250 2GB MP3 Player, FM tuner, FM on-the-fly Recording, Built-in microphone, Video, Expandable Memory

this is the best electronic device i have ever bought it is great for music and audio books way to many features like a radio to list and its a lot cheaper. Only $39.99

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...53&dcaid=17653

[DTMracer]

Yeah, but you gotta factor in what I like to call "The great Australian inflation" where everything costs way more than they do in the US of A. Its the same story with cars. For the same amount of money that I'm planning to spend on a replacement for my elise, I could get something much nicer in the US than here down under.

[DTMracer]

Right, I went to JB Hi-fi (My fellow Australians will know what I'm on about) to pick up a Sansa Clip 2GB for just under 100AUD.

My first impressions so far: Crap retail packing, beautiful sound quality. I'm trying them out with my Shure E500PTH headphones at the moment and its just great. Probably better than my 3rd gen nano (especially bass), but still doesn't beat my iRiver H320 (Then again, nothing does). Great design, easy to use. The clip is a brilliant idea copied from the iPod Shuffle, but the front surfacing smudges really easily.

I'll test out the battery life and hook it up to my home theater system later on to perform some further tests. Am very impressed so far though.